Starting salary of £8.85, rising to £9.08 following successful completion of probation, (rising to £9.38 based on qualifications held)

We are a national charity providing creative support services across England to people who have a learning disability. We provide a range of services including Supported Living, residential, and short breaks, and we lead the field nationally, in utilising new technology. We believe in the principle of ‘every moment has potential’ and incorporate this in the provision of all our services. Our support staff are at the forefront of this and on a day to day basis you will ensure that Support Worker colleagues deliver the highest standard of care.

What we will offer you:

A comprehensive induction / development programme with support from your local manager and a Learning and Development Specialist.

An opportunity to develop and use your creative ideas and plan your career development.

20 days holiday rising to 25 days after the first year, plus eight customary days, and a contributory pension scheme.

What we expect from you:

To be able to work varied flexible hours including evenings and weekends (with potential for on-call duties)

To drive Hft vehicles.

To be committed to ensuring people have great lives.

To be a role model to Support Workers to deliver great support and assist the Registered Cluster Manager to monitor, report and maintain agreed standards.

STRICTLY NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks after the closing date your application has not been successful on this occasion.Hft’s usual terms and conditions apply.Hft is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident Employer, Hft is helping to ensure that disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations that people without disabilities do.Successful applicants will need to undertake an enhanced disclosure check against the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Having a criminal record may not bar you from employment.

Senior Support Worker

Department: Operations

Where you will be working: Across a cluster of services

Reports to: RCM

Purpose of the job:

The purpose of this role is to blend together the practitioner role and the first line management role at a SSW level. You will be a role model to others through demonstrating excellent support to those in our care and you will help the RCM/s to teach, support and manage staff teams effectively. The SSW offers the opportunity for career progression to someone keen to develop their knowledge and skills.

The foundation of your practice will be built on Hft’s values, and embedded into the Fusion model of support and delivering Person Centred Services. We want you to nurture and inspire those coming to work for Hft and contribute to ensuring we have the best staff teams offering the best support services across the sector.

You need to work to the standards set internally (by Hft) and externally (for example, by the Care Quality Commission and Local Authority).

You will contribute to ensuring services are:-

Well led

Safe

Caring

Effective

Responsive

Every SSW will be assigned to a RCM and work to a common set of core responsibilities. However, in addition you will adapt your role to meet the needs of regional services.

Main Duties
Across a cluster of services:-

Develop a culture that is responsive, inclusive and person centred.

Ensure that you and support staff offer the highest standards of care and support to each person in our care.

Ensure that all documentation that relates to a person’s needs and choices, is current, comprehensive, represents the views of the person/family and is used on a day to day basis to inform practice.

Ensure that you and the staff team assist and encourage people to have a life like any other by becoming part of their community, have work and education opportunities, develop and maintain relationships, explore leisure options and are supported to express themselves in the way they choose, culturally, spiritually, sexually etc.

Ensure that you and the staff team complete and record risk assessments around finances and other aspects of people’s lives as needed.

Promote health, safety and well-being of the people we support whilst respecting people’s personal choice and empowering positive risk taking.

Promote PCAS as a practice leader to achieve maximum independence for each person.

To bring the Fusion model to life within services and deliver on team Fusion plans.

To develop a culture of collaborative working to benefit the people we support.

To look for opportunities to use Personalised Technology to increase people’s independence.

To make full use of IT systems and support and teach staff to maximise the use of these in their job.

Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Being part of the community is important to people you therefore need to be able to drive and use your vehicle for work.

You and your team/s are also required to work flexibly to respond to the needs and wishes of the people you support, complete on-calls, be away from home etc.

First line MANAGEMENT ROLE (down-time to be confirmed with service following guide)

Line manage employees, volunteers and relief staff identified by the RCM

Observe and feedback on SW practice and interactions with the people we support.

Monitor service compliance

Support the staff induction process

Carry out on-call duties as a second person

Ensure financial reconciliations are completed and signed off.

Ensure that you and staff teams make full use of Hft systems, SPARS, Lincus, SPIRE, Assessnet, Knowledge Centre etc.

Support the appointment of staff as requested.

Carry out fact finding early stage investigations.

Complete PCAS observations

Contribute to Fusion plans

Complete mandatory management training as determined by Hft.

Support the RCM

Senior Support Worker

Must Haves:

Experience of clear and effective communication

Experience of monitoring and maintaining records so that they are accurate and up to date

IT skills in using Microsoft Office/ SPARS/AssessNet/SPIRE/Email

Experience of managing personal/household finances

The ability to work on your own and as part of a team

Commitment to developing personal and work skills as well as developing others

Sensitivity, patience and trustworthiness

Experience of undertaking risk assessments

A knowledge of people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems

A Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 2

Being able to meet Hft’s Driver Policy requirements and a willingness to drive Hft vehicles

A strong value base

A commitment to providing outstanding services for people with a learning disability

A desire to support individuals to lead independent lives

Commitment to implementing equal opportunities

Working towards a Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 3 (or equivalent) or willingness to work towards this qualification whilst in post.

Nice to Haves:

Experience of supervising staff

An appreciation of healthy living issues

An understanding of health & safety issues

Experience of promoting new technology and using personalised technology

Knowledge of food hygiene and personal hygiene issues

Ability to support someone with varied personal & household tasks

Experience of managing household budgets

Experience of bringing about culture change in teams

PCAS practice leader or a willingness to train and subsequently carry out observations and provide feedback to teams